Filling jig for cartons



March 30, 1954 c. H. TROUST FILLING JIG FOR CARTONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 18, 1950 L; iii

March 30, 1954 c. H. TROUsT 2,673,676

' FILLING JIG FOR CARTONS Filed Oct. 18, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 30, 1954 FILLING J IG FOR CARTONS Clyde H. Troust, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to F. N.

Burt Company, Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October 18, 1950, Serial No. 190,689

8 Claims. (01. 226-129) This invention relates to improvements in a supporting device for supporting paper and like cartons during the filling thereof with merchandise, and more particularly to an improved filling and supporting jig for supporting paper and like cartons of relatively large sizes for storage or shipment and holding them to shape and size during the packing of the merchandise therein such as ice cream or other frozen foods. While the improved supporting jig may be used with various sizes of cartons, it has been designed for use with larger sizes such as capacities of 2, 3, or 4 gallons or larger.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved supporting jig for usein supporting paper or like cartons to prevent outward bulging, distortion, or rupture of the carton walls during packing of the contents firmly in the carton, and for retaining the carton to exact volumetric capacity during the filling, and being constructed and arranged so that it can be quickly and easily applied in supporting position before the filling of the carton and quickly and easily removed after the filling has been completed.

A further object of the invention is .to provide a supporting jig of the class mentioned for use in filling cartons and having an improved sectional wall construction in which the sections are releasably hinged together to facilitate placing it in position on the carton and removing it therefrom, and having strong supporting walls preferably of sheet metal or like sheet material and having an improved attaching means to attach the sections together and at the same time exerting pressure against the outer surface of the carton walls to conform them to the desired carton capacity and to support them firmly in such position during the packing of the contents in the carton.

According to a feature of improvement of the in the carton.

A further object of the invention is to provide a supporting filling jig of the class mentioned provided with an improved attaching hinge and with an improved cam latch for the sections of the jig constructed and arranged to present a smooth and unobstructed inner wall surface which contacts with the carton walls, and having an improved arrangement whereby the parts of the hinge and cam latch can be quickly engaged and disengaged, and having no partially closed areas or cavities for accumulations of dirt or bacteria whereby it can easily be cleaned.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a supporting filling jig of the class mentioned, an improved arrangement whereby the sections of the jig can be quickly and easily detached from each other and nested together so as to require little space for housing or storage thereof.

Other objects ofthe invention will be in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure of an illustrative but preferred embodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious as the disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangment of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims. v For a more complete disclosure of the nature, objects and advantages of the invention, reference is had to the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment, and to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view showing a paper carton filled with ice cream or similar material and having the improved supporting jig applied thereto in supporting relation;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. 1 but showing the carton and jig viewed from the opposite side thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, parts being shown in horizontal section, of the supporting jig showing in full lines the sections thereof connected together in operative position, and showing in broken lines the sections disconnected along one edge thereof and separated in position for applying or removing it from the carton;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detail elevation of the improved detachable hinge connection, parts being in section;

Fig. 5 is a cross section substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation showing in 3 engaged position the cam connection or latch for connecting the sections together;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 but showing the elements of the cam disconnected; and

Fig. 9 is a partially diagrammatic horizontal sectional view showing the method of nesting the two sections of the jig together for storage, etc.

Referring to the drawing for a detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the filling and supporting jig is constructed for use with cartons that are square in horizontal section, such as paper carton ill, but it will be understood that it may be constructed for use with other shapes of cartons such, for example, as those that are polygonal in cross section with any desired number of sides, or even those that are cylindrical or oval. The supporting jig is made in two integral sections it and :2, the section II having two wall plates i3 and is positioned at right angles to each other, and the section 12 having two wall plates is and it also disposed at right angles to each other. Thus one of the wall sections is adapted to contact with one of the outer faces of the carton walls, being substantially the same dimension horizontally as the corresponding carton wall. But the vertical dimension of each wall plate is preferably somewhat less than the vertical height of the carton so that the carton wall projects slightly above the upper edge of the supporting jig when the latter is in supporting position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each of the sections H and i2 is preferably made of strong sheet material. such, for example, metal, stainless steel being preferred.

Connections are provided between the two tions it and 12 at adjacent edge portions th of as shown whereby, when the two sections 'e connected together in operative position, they completely enclose and support the carton being filled. It will thus be seen that the connections between the two sections are positioned at diagonally opposite corners of the supporting jig.

One of the connections is in the form of a detachabie hinge between the two sections II and 22 as shown in detail in Figs 3, 4, 5 and 6. This hinge connection includes a diagonally disposed outwardly turned upper flange H on one section and a similarly positioned outwardly turned lower flange 58 on the other section. Each flange 1'5 and I8 is provided near its base with an elongated vertically disposed aperture IQ for receiving another part of the hinge disposed upon the adjacent section. This detachable hinge also includes short flanges or hinge lugs 20 and 2| on the respective sections ll and I2, these also being bent outwardly from the edges of the sections and being positioned diagonally with reference to the sections as best shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. The hinge flanges or lugs '20 and 2| are positioned for being received respectively in the upper and lower apertures l9 of the flanges l! and i8. Each hinge lug is projected at its free end forming a hook-like structure so as to engage with the respective flanges l1 and IS in interlocking relation to lock the two sections II and i2 together in operative positions as shown in Fig. 4. It will be noticed that each hinge lug 20 and 2! when in assembled position is substantially parallel to and in contacting relation respectively with the adjacent flanges l1 and I8 so as to provide a fulcrum for swingingthetwo sections together whenv closed upon the carton as best shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6.

At the diagonally opposite corner of the supporting jig from the supporting hinge, a cam latch 22 is provided for locking and supporting the two sections H and 12 together when closed in supporting relation upon the carton as shown in Figs. 3 and '7. This cam latch includes an upper inclined cam plate 23 and a cooperating lower inclined cam plate 24. The cam plates and 24 form projections of and are respectively supported by flanges 25 and 26 integral with the adjacent jig sections I! and [2. Both of these flanges 25 and 26 are bent outwardly substantially into diagonal position with reference to the jig.

Since the improved filling supporting jig is rather large and bulky, especially for the three or four gallon or larger size cartons, it is desirable for storage purposes that the jig sections H and H2 be nested together as shown in Fig. 5) so as not to require so large a space for storage. For this purpose, the two sections l l an i2 may be disconnected from each other by disengaging the connecting hinges and nested together as shown. The two sections are provided with handles 2'! for use in engaging and disengaging the cam latch 22, being positioned adjacent thereto on the respective sections. For accommodating these handles when the two sections are nested together, each section is provided with an aperture 28 positioned for receiving the respective handles; each section is thus provided with an aperture 23 so that either section may be nested within the other section.

When it is desired to use the supporting jig to support a carton during filling thereof, the two sections H and l2 are connected together by inserting the hinge lugs 20 and 2! into the respective receiving apertures ill at the bases of the flanges I! and I8. When the hinge lugs are thus inserted, the two sections are moved longitudinally relative to each other so that the projected or hooked end portions of the hinge lugs are interengaged or interlocked with the apertures so that the two sections can be swung apart a short distance as shown in broken lines in Fig. 3. When the two sections are thus hinged together in interlocking relation, they are horizontally aligned with each other with the upper and lower edges of the entire supporting jig substantially continuous. The empty carton may then be placed upon a flat supporting surface and the opened supporting jig placed therearound while resting on said supporting surface, whereupon the sections H and i2 are closed or swung together so as to contact with each of the four sides of the carton. During the final closing swinging movement of the sections, the flanges l1 and [8 at the edges of the two sections H and i2 engage or fulcrum respectively with the hinge lugs 20 and 21 thus urging the two jig sections closely together at the hinged edges thereof. The handles 21 may be used for this purpose. When in this closed position the jig rests upon the same flat surface which supports the carton which preferably extends slightly above the upper edge of the jig so as to provide for placing a cover upon the carbon after being filled.

Due to the interlocking engagement of the hinge elements as above described, the two jig sections II and I2 are supported in horizontal alignment with each other, but they may be displaced longitudinally relatively to each other or longitudinally offset a short distance at their front or cam latchedges so as to enable the incline upper steame and lower cam plates 23 and 24 to be engaged with each other, the handles 21 being used for this purpose. During this longitudinal displacement of the sections, the hinge connection and also the sections themselves are yieldingly stressed slightlyso as to yieldingly urge them into their normal horizontally alignedposition. Therefore, when the inclined cam plates 23 and 24 engage each other, the two sections are yieldingly urged together into their final closed position as shown in Fig. l, and in full lines in Fig. 3. Hence in their final closed position the sections are constantly urged by this cam engagement against the walls of the carton. In this manner the carton is constrained at all times during the filling operation to maintain a constant measured volume, and all distortions and bulging of the carton walls are avoided. Due to the construction of the hinge at the hinged edge of the jig sections and to the cam latch, it will be noted that the adjacent inner surfaces of the supporting jig are smooth and unobstructed and all cavities or partially closed openings'are avoided. Hence accumulations of I dirt, moisture, bacteria, etc. are avoided, and the problem of keeping the supporting jig clean is simplified.

After the carton has been completely filled as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the cam latch 22 is released by again longitudinally displacing the sections ii and I2 and swinging them apart and removing the jig from supporting position. Prior to removal of the supporting jig, the cover for the filled carton may be placed in position by telescoping the depending surrounding flanges thereof over the margin of the carton above the upper edges of the supporting jig.

In order to lower production costs, it is desirable that both sections II and 12 of the filling jig be made identical in structure. In the embodiment shown this is accomplished by making the flange 25 of the section I I identical in structure and position withth flange 26 of the section i2, and similarly making the diagonally opposite flange ll of the section 12 identical in structure and position with the flange l8 of the section ll. When the two sections H and I2 are thus constructed, all that is necessary in assembling them is to reverse them end for end with reference to the other section whereupon they may be connected together in operative position as shown in the drawing and fully described above.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having thus been fully described, the following is claimed:

1. In a supporting filling jig for cartons, in combination, a pair of complementary wall sections, cooperating hinge means on adjacent edges of said respective wall sections, and latching means adapted to secure the remaining opposite edges of the wall sections together; said hinge means comprising a flange extending angularly outwardly of the confines of the jig from one of said first named adjacent edges and having a slot formed in the flange at the base thereof, said slot extending parallel with said wall edges, a flange extending angularly outwardly from the other of said first mentioned wall edges,

said last named flange having the form of a' hook of but slightly smaller length than the length of the slot in the other flange, said hook flange received within said slot and the flange portion at the extreme end of said slot received within said hook, whereby the angular hook flange and the angular slotted flange are interlocked to form a hinge structure affording limited pivotal movement of the complementary wall sections of the jig.

2. The supporting filling jig as set forth in claim 1, in which two of the described hinge flange connections are provided along the first named adjacent edges of the wall sections, the second connection being the reverse of the first in that its slotted flange extends from the edge from which the first mentioned hook flange extends, and its hook flange extends from the edge from which the first named slotted flange extends, and the hooks face in opposite directions, thereby affording a stronger hinge and also enabling the wall sections to be of identical configuration whatever the side of the jig they occupy, thus facilitating construction.

3. In a supporting filling jig for cartons, in combination, a pair of complementary wall sections, cooperating hinge means on adjacent edges of said respective wall sections, and latching means adapted to secure the remaining opposite edges of the wall sections together; said hinge means comprising a flange extending angularly outwardly of the confines of the jig from one of said first named adjacent edges and having a slot formed in the flange at the base thereof and extending parallel with said wall edges, a flange extending angularly outwardly from the other of said first mentioned wall edges, said last named flange adapted to enter said slot and interlock with said first named flange to form a hinge structure, a second hinge connection of the type described provided along the first named adjacent edges of the wall sections, the second connection being the reverse of the first in that its slotted flange extends from the edge from which the first mentioned entering flange extends, and its entering flange extends from the edge from which the first mentioned slotted flange extends, thereby affording a stronger hinge and also enabling the wall sections to be of identical configuration whatever the side of the jig they occupy, thus facilitating construction.

4. The jig set forth in claim 3 in which said latching means comprises two cam-like projections extending from the respective adjacent Wall edges of the second named or remaining pair, said projections being wedgingly interlocked to urge the wall sections to closed position about the hinges and into supporting and pressure contact with the carton.

5. In a supporting filling jig for cartons, in combination, a pair of complementary wall sections, cooperating hinge means on adjacent edges of said respective wall sections, and latching means adapted to secure the remaining opposite edges of the wall sections together; said latching means comprising an ear projecting angularly outwardly from each of the second named wall edges, and each ear having a projection bent toward the other and extending in the general direction of the said wall edges, said projections being positioned in opposition to each other when the wall sections are aligned with each other and being engageable by relative ofisetting of said sections in the direction of extent of said edges,

the bent configuration of the ears causing the camming closure of thejig when they are interengaged.

6. In a supporting filling jig for cartons, in combination, a pair of complementary wall sections, cooperating hinge means on adjacent edges of said respective wall sections, and latching means adapted to secure the remaining opposite edges of the wall sections together; said hinge means comprising a flange extending angularly outwardly of the confines of the jig from one of said first named adjacent edges and having a slot formed in the flange at the base thereof and extending parallel with said wall edges, a flange extending angularly outwardly from the other wall edge of the first mentioned ones, said last named flange adapted to enter said slot and interlock with said first named flange to form a hinge structure, a second hinge connection of the type described provided along the first named adjacent edges or" the wall sections, the second connection being the reverse of the first in that its slotted flange extends from the edge from which the first mentioned entering flange extends, and its entering flange extends from the edge from which the first mentioned slotted flange extends, said latching means comprising an ear projecting angularly outwardly from each of the second named wall edges, and each ear having a projection bent toward the other and extending in the general direction of the said wall edges, said projections being positioned in opposition to each other when the wall sections are aligned with each other and being engageable by relative ofisetting of said sections in the direction of extent of said edges, the bent configuration of the ears causing the camming closure of the jig when they are interengaged, the reverse positions of the two hinge connections and the opposed exten- 4 sion of the latching ears enabling the wall sections to be of identical configuration, whatever the side of the jig they occupy, thus facilitating construction.

7. A polygonal supporting filling jig for cartons comprising, in combination, a pair of hinged side wall sections each including a plurality of the sides of the polygonal jig, hinge means connecting adjacent edges of the side wall sections at a corner at the junction of two sides; latching means connecting theremaining pair of side edges of the wall section; handle means projecting outwardly from the side wall sections, one upon either side of and adjacent to one of the pair of adjacent wall edges, and openings formed in the wall sections atcorresponding points adjacent the other pair of adjacent edges for respectively receiving said handles when the two wall sections are-disconnected and nested as for storage purposes.

8. In a supporting filling jig for cartons, in combination, a pair of complementary wall sections, cooperating hinge means on adjacent edges of said respective wall sections, and latching means adapted to secure the remaining opposite edges of the wall sections together; the

hinge means comprising inter-engaging lugs projecting from the respective first named adjacent edges and shaped in reverse with respect to each other; the latching means also comprising interlocking projections extending from the respective second named adjacent wall edges and projected toward each other in exact reverse configuration, whereby said wall sections may be manufactured in identical form and connected in reverse upon assembly.

CLYDE H. TROUST.

References Cited .in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 641,273 Coon Jan. 16, 1900 1,235,680 Greco Aug. '7, 1917 1,288,799 Ayres Dec. 24, 1918 1,590,995 Nelson June 29, 1926 

